Apparatus for automatic woodsplitting

ABSTRACT

Apparatus capable of automatically splitting logs into portions of give maximum cross-sectional dimensions regardless of the cross-sectional size of the logs to be split is disclosed. Preferred structures of the apparatus for splitting short logs into firewood and for splitting longer logs into fenceposts are described. A preferred electrohydraulic operating system is disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus for splitting wood by forcing a logto be split against a fixed blade and more particularly to suchapparatus capable of automatically splitting the logs into portions ofgiven maximum cross-sectional dimensions regardless of thecross-sectional dimensions of such logs.

In splitting wood, as distinguished from cutting wood, a knife edgewedge is forced into the grain of the wood to cause the fibers thereofto separate along a line that follows such fibers. Thus, the totalenergy required to separate the wood into portions is reduced but thecontour of the portions is largely dependent on the arrangement of thefibers in the grain of the wood.

It is known in the prior art to split wood by forcing logs or the likeendwise along a bed and against a wedge-like blade or knife, rigidlymounted on such bed, in order to divide such log or the like into two ormore substantially equal portions. According to the teaching of U.S.Pat. No. 873,418 to Eckenroth Jr. a steam actuated ram is used to forcethe log endwise along the bed and against a wedge or knife having twocutting surfaces crossing each other at right angles. The wedge or knifeis adjusted with respect to the bed for each log so that theintersection of the cutting surfaces is positioned at the center of thecross-section of the log in order to split the log into four quarters,the cross-sectional dimensions of which will depend on thecross-sectional dimensions of the log. Thus, the apparatus taught byEckenroth Jr. must be adjusted for each log and is not capable ofautomatic operation or of producing portions having given maximumcross-sectional dimensions.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,077,214 to Brunkner, apparatus is disclosed which iscapable of automatically splitting logs, having a range ofcross-sectional dimensions, substantially in half. According to theteaching of Brunkner, a hydraulic ram is used to force the logs endwisealong a bed against a wedge assembly comprising an axe blade or wedgerigidly mounted on the bed and having its cutting edge extendingnormally to the bed. A wedge plate of relatively wide divergence isrigidly mounted on the free end of the axe blade and spaced rearwardlyof the cutting edge with respect to the log for the purpose of spreadingthe halves of the splitting log thereby breaking the fibers above thereach of the axe blade and increasing the maximum diameter of log whichthe apparatus can split. Mechanical link means are used to control thehydraulic ram in order to provide automatic operation for splitting logswithin the given range of cross-sectional dimensions into two halves,the cross-sectional dimensions of which are dependent on the log split.

It is a particular object of this invention to provide apparatus capableof splitting logs into portions of given maximum cross-sectionaldimensions regardless of the cross-sectional size of the log to besplit.

It is a general object of this invention to provide improved apparatusfor automatically splitting logs of varying cross-sectional size andlength.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the improved apparatus according to this invention comprises anelongated bed for supporting a log to be split with a splitting bladeassembly mounted at one end and a hydraulic ram structure including awall mounted at the other end for exerting force on the log endwisealong the bed between the wall and the splitting blade assembly. Thesplitting blade assembly comprises a generally horizontal splittingblade extending at least the full diameter of the log to be split spacedabove the bed by a distance less than the horizontal extent thereof anda generally vertical splitting blade extending only between thehorizontal blade and the bed with the cutting edge of the horizontalblade closer to the ram than the cutting edge of the vertical blade.Means are provided for actuating the hydraulic ram structure including areservoir for hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic fluid pump and means fordriving the pump and controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to and fromthe hydraulic ram structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The foregoing and other objects and features of the subject inventionwill be more fully understood from a reading of the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments thereof in conjunction with thedrawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of theapparatus according to the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified end view of the splitting blade assembly of theapparatus of FIG. 1 showing a log in the process of being split thereby.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the log of FIG. 2 showing the portions to besplit therefrom with the composite force to which each portion issubjected in the splitting process indicated by arrows.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with portions thereofomitted and other portions broken away or shown in section for clarityof illustration.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4 andomitting the same portions as omitted from FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing adifferent embodiment of the apparatus according to the teaching of thisinvention as preferred for use in splitting logs into firewood.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the hydraulic system ofapparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the electrical system ofapparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a log splitting apparatus in accordance with oneembodiment of this invention is shown in perspective with portionsbroken away to reveal certain internal structures of the apparatus.According to this embodiment of the invention, the apparatus isconstructed in the form of a trailer in order to provide mobility sothat the apparatus may be easily moved to the vicinity of a supply oflogs to be split. Thus, the apparatus 10, according to this embodimentof the invention, comprises a generally rectangular, substantiallyhollow, box-like frame mounted on a pair of wheels 11, 12 by anyconventional means. A towing tongue 13 is mounted at one end of theapparatus 10 to provide for the attachment thereof to a towing vehicle.

A pair of heavy steel channel members 15 and 16 form the elongated sidesof the rectangular main frame of the apparatus 10. The lower edges ofthe channel members 15 and 16 are interconnected by transverselyextending structural members such as the girders 17, for example, toprovide the rigid bed of the apparatus 10. A pair of telescoping legs 18may be rigidly fixed to the outer surface of the channel members 15 and16 at the end thereof adjacent the tongue 13 in order to provide forstability of the apparatus in operation when detached from the towingvehicle.

According to the embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 1, the endportion of the bed of the apparatus 10 adjacent the tongue 13 is formedby a heavy metal plate 19 extending between the lower portions of thechannel members 15 and 16 and rigidly fixed thereto as by bolting orwelding. As will be more fully explained hereinafter, such metal plate19 supports the portions split from the log and insures that thesplitting operation will be fully and efficiently completed as well asadding structural rigidity to the frame of the apparatus 10.

Similarly, a splitting blade assembly is rigidly mounted on the frame ofthe apparatus 10 at the end thereof adjacent the tongue 13. Suchsplitting blade assembly comprises a generally horizontal splittingblade 20 provided by a heavy metal plate extending transversely betweenthe upper edges of the channel members 15 and 16 and rigidly affixedthereto as by means of bolting or welding. The edge 21 of the metalplate remote from the tongue 13 is beveled or sharpened to provide asplitting edge against which a log is forced by the apparatus 10according to this invention. The splitting blade assembly also includesone or more vertical splitting blades 22, 24 and 26 extending onlytoward the bed of the apparatus 10 from the lower surface of thehorizontal splitting blade 20. Each of such vertical splitting bladesmay comprise a heavy metal plate rigidly affixed to the lower surface ofthe horizontal splitting blade as by means of welding, for example, andhaving the edge thereof remote from the tongue 13 beveled or sharpenedto provide a splitting edge 23, 25, 27, respectively, against which alog to be split is forced by the apparatus 10 according to the teachingof this invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lower ends ofthe vertical splitting blades 22, 24, 26 are also rigidly affixed to theupper surface of the metal plate 19 as by welding, for example, in orderto provide an extremely rigid splitting blade assembly.

According to the teaching of this invention, the apparatus 10 includes ahydraulic ram structure, only the movable end 30 of which is visible inFIG. 1, for forcing a log endwise along the bed of the apparatus 10 andagainst the splitting blade assembly. The hydraulic ram structure willbe more fully described hereinafter, however, it will be understood thata log 29 is placed on the bed of the apparatus 10 with one end adjacentthe splitting blade assembly and the other end adjacent the movable end30 of the hydraulic ram structure. When the hydraulic ram structure isactuated, the end 30 thereof will be moved toward the splitting bladeassembly forcing the log against the splitting edges 21, 23, 25 and 27of the horizontal splitting blade 20 and vertical splitting blades 22,24 and 26. As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the splitting blades20, 22, 24 and 26 will be forced into the grain of the log tending toseparate the fibers thereof and splitting portions 28 away from the mainbody of the log 29. Thus, at the completion of the splitting movement ofthe end 30 of the hydraulic ram structure, the unsplit portion of thelog 29 will have been forced to a position in which it rests on top ofthe generally horizontal splitting blade 20 with the split portions 28of the log being received under the generally horizontal splitting blade20 and between the vertical splitting blades 22, 24 and 26. The splitportions 28 of the log 29 will, of course, be subjected to transverseforces by the horizontal and vertical splitting blades, the resultant ofsuch forces and the direction in which the split portions 28 tend tomove, being indicated by the arrows 31 in FIG. 3. Thus, it will be seenthat the apparatus 10 and splitting blade assembly thereof must beproperly designed in order to avoid binding of the split portions 28 ofthe log 29 within the splitting blade assembly. To this end, the log 29is resiliently supported above the bed of the apparatus 10 prior to theactual splitting thereof and the splitting blades of the splitting bladeassembly are arranged with respect to each other in order to accommodatethe forces imposed on the split portions 28 of the log 29 by thesplitting operation.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the log 29 is resiliently supportedprior to the splitting operation by means of a heavy metal plate 31carried by means of compression springs 32 on the girders 17 slightlyabove the bed of the apparatus 10. The movable end 30 of the hydraulicram structure moves across the upper surface of the support plate 31forcing the log 29 to slide endwise from the support plate 31 and intothe splitting blade assembly. The springs 32 will enable the supportplate 31 to move vertically with respect to the bed of the apparatus 10or tilt with respect thereto in order to accommodate forces imposed onthe log 29 during the splitting operation by the splitting bladesparticularly where the log 29 includes knots internally thereof orprotrusions externally thereof.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, it will be seen that the splitting edge21 of the generally horizontal splitting blade 20 is spaced further fromthe tongue and of the apparatus 10 than the splitting edges of any ofthe vertical splitting blades 22-26. Thus, the log 29 encounters thesplitting edge 21 of the horizontal splitting blade 20 first and theportion thereby split from the log 29 subsequently encounters thevertical splitting blades 22-26. The splitting edges 23 and 27 of thetwo outer vertical splitting blades 22 and 26 are spaced further fromthe tongue end of the apparatus 10 than the splitting edge 25 of thecentrally located vertical splitting blade 24. Thus, the outwarddeflection of the outer split portions 28 of the log is readilyaccommodated and the outward deflection of the two halves of the centralportion when it encounters the vertical splitting blade 24 may also bereadily accommodated.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the downward deflection of the central portionsof the split log is also accommodated due to the support of the logabove the bed of the apparatus by means of the spring mounted plate 31.Thus, the tendency of the split portions 28 of the log 29 to bind withinthe splitting blade assembly is greatly reduced in the apparatus 10according to the teaching of this invention.

As best shown in FIG. 1, a means is provided for returning the uncutportion of the log from the top of the generally horizontal cuttingblade 20 into the apparatus 10 for further splitting. Thus, a barstructure 34 is supported immediately above the upper surface of thegenerally horizontal splitting blade 20 from the movable end 30 of thehydraulic ram structure by means of a yoke 35 and a pair of rods 36.Thus, when the ram structure is actuated to move the end 30 thereoftoward the splitting blade assembly, the bar structure 34 will be movedalong the upper surface of the generally horizontal cutting blade 20toward the tongue end of the apparatus 10. When the splitting operationis completed, the unsplit portion of the log 29 will rest on the uppersurface of the horizontal cutting blade 20 and the bar structure 34 willbe positioned beyond the end of the uncut portion of the log 29. Whenthe hydraulic ram structure is actuated to retract the end 30, the yoke35 and rods 36 will pull the bar structure 34 rearwardly tending toslide the uncut portion of the log 29 along the top of the horizontalsplitting blade 20 and reposition it in the apparatus 10 between themovable end 30 of the ram structure and the splitting blade assembly onthe support plate 31. When the ram structure is again actuated, thepreviously unsplit portion of the log 29 will be forced against thesplitting blade structure resulting in the splitting thereof as well asin the forcing of the previously split portions 28 from between thehorizontal splitting blade 20 and support plate 19.

In the apparatus according to the embodiment of this invention as shownin FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, a double-acting hydraulic ram structure is used.Referring to FIG. 1, a gasoline engine indicated generally at 37provides the power necessary to drive a hydraulic pump 38 which supplieshydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic ram structure. Thegasoline engine 37 and pump 38 together with an appropriate control box39 may be mounted on a metal plate 49 rigidly fixed to the upper edgesof the channel members 15 and 16 at the end of the apparatus 10 remotefrom the tongue 13. Although any appropriate means for mounting theengine 37, pump 38 and control box 39 could be used, the use of themetal plate 40 helps to make the apparatus 10 extremely rugged andprovides an enclosure for the double-acting hydraulic ram structure.

Referring to FIG. 4, a top plan view of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 isshown with the engine 37, pump 38, control box 39 and mounting plate 40removed and with other portions broken away or shown in phantom forclarity. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5--5 of FIG.4 and the following description of FIGS. 4 and 5 is directed primarilyto the double-acting hydraulic ram structure and its mechanicalinterrelationship with the remainder of the apparatus.

Thus, a heavy steel I-beam 41 is rigidly fixed between the channelmembers 15 and 16 at the end thereof remote from the tongue 13 toprovide a rugged mounting member for the hydraulic ram structure. Suchhydraulic ram structure according to this embodiment of the invention,comprises a pair of double-acting hydraulic motors 42 and 43. Thecylinders of the hydraulic motors 42 and 43 are mechanically coupled tothe I-beam 41 in the usual manner and the pistons of the hydraulicmotors 42 and 43 are mechanically coupled to the movable end wall 30 ofthe hydraulic ram structure in the usual manner. The hydraulic motors 42and 43 are hydraulically connected in parallel so that the pistonsthereof will be extended and retracted in tandem to force the movablewall 30 toward and away from the splitting blade structure at the tongueend of the apparatus.

A tank or reservoir 44 of hydraulic fluid is mounted between the channelmembers 15 and 16 below the hydraulic motors 42 and 43. The reservoir 44is connected to the hydraulic pump through an oil filter 45 and theparallel connected hydraulic motors 42 and 43 are connected through anelectrically actuated two-position four-way valve 46 to the output ofthe hydraulic pump 38 and the reservoir 44 by means of hydraulic lines47 and 48 respectively. A pair of guide rods 49 and 50 are providedalong the inner surfaces of the channel members 15 and 16 for supportingand guiding the movable end 30 of the hydraulic ram structure as it isextended and retracted by the operation of the hydraulic motors 42 and43.

Thus, when the two-position four-way valve 46 is electrically actuatedto its first position, the hydraulic pump will be connected to the driverod side of the pistons in the cylinders of both of the parallelconnected hydraulic motors 42 and 43 and the opposite sides of suchpistons will be connected to the reservoir 44 thus retracting themovable end 30 of the hydraulic ram structure to the position shown inFIG. 4. When the two-position four-way valve 46 is electrically actuatedto the second of its two positions, the rod side of the pistons of theparallel connected hydraulic motors 42 and 43 will be connected to thereservoir and the other side of such pistons will be connected to theoutput of the hydraulic pump 38 thereby extending the drive rods of thehydraulic motors 42 and 43 forcing the movable end 30 of the hydraulicram structure toward the splitting blade structure along the guide rods49 and 50 and over the upper surface of the support plate 31.

Appropriate electrical circuitry including a manually operable singlepole double throw switch 51 is included in the control box 39 to enablemanual actuation of the two-position four-way valve 46 so that theoperator can control the extension and retraction of the movable end 30of the hydraulic ram structure in any desired sequence. In addition, asecond manually operable single-pole double throw switch 52 is includedin the control box 39 and electrically connected in the circuitry toenable the manual control switch 51 to be disconnected from the circuitand an automatically operated single pole double throw switch 53 (seeFIG. 4) to be connected in its place. As indicated in FIG. 4, theautomatically actuated single pole double throw switch 52 may be aso-called "toggle" switch mounted on one of the channel members 15 or 16rearwardly of the movable wall 30 of the hydraulic ram structure. Anappropriate actuation rod 54 is mounted on the movable end wall 30 ofthe hydraulic ram structure in a position to enable protruding actuatorstructures mounted on such rod 54 to engage the toggle of the switch 53at each end of the stroke of the hydraulic ram structure 30. Thus in theposition shown in FIG. 4, the actuator protrusion 55 has just actuatedthe toggle of the switch 53 at the end of the retraction cycle of thehydraulic ram structure thereby placing the switch 52 in a position toactuate the two-position four-way valve 46 to its second position inorder to start the extension portion of the stroke of the hydraulic ramstructure assuming that the switch 53 is connected into the electricalcircuit of the apparatus by the switch 52. It will be understood thatthe actuator protrusion 56 mounted on the free end of the actuator rod54 will contact the toggle of the switch 53 to end the extension portionof the stroke of the hydraulic ram structure when the movable wall 30thereof has reached substantial alignment with the splitting edge 21 ofthe horizontal splitting blade 20 and begin the retraction portion ofthe stroke of the hydraulic ram structure by actuating the two-positionfour-way valve 46 to the first position thereof as described above.Thus, so long as the switch 53 is connected into the electricalcircuitry of the apparatus by the switch 52, the hydraulic ram structurewill cycle through its stroke continuously. The actuator protrusion 55on the rod 54 may be adjustable along such rod 54 in order to controlthe length of the stroke of the hydraulic ram structure in accordancewith the length of the logs to be split.

Apparatus in accordance with the teaching of this invention andparticularly the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, may be designedto enable it to split logs up to 6 or 7 feet in length so that at leastsome of the split portions thereof may be used as fenceposts. The splitportions selected for such use will, of course, be those havingcross-sectional dimensions approaching the maximum cross-sectionaldimensions determined by the splitting blade structure as shown in FIGS.2 and 3. In order to provide a stroke of sufficient length, thehydraulic ram structure may utilize double extension hydraulic motorsand the horizontal blade 20 would have to be of sufficient length tosupport the unsplit portions of the logs 29 so that they can be movedinto position for splitting upon actuation of the hydraulic motors toretract the hydraulic ram structure. Due to the length and consequentweight of logs used to provide fenceposts, it may be necessary toutilize mechanical means for loading the logs into the apparatus forsplitting. However, the length and weight of the logs should insure theproper positioning of unsplit portions thereof in the apparatus forsubsequent splitting. As best shown in FIG. 5 an appropriate means 58may be provided for adjusting the spacing between the bar 34 and themovable end 30 of the hydraulic ram structure in accordance with thelength of the stroke of the hydraulic ram structure. Such means mayinclude apertures through the yoke 35 receiving the rods 36 togetherwith a set screw mechanism for fixing such rods 36 in such apertures atany point along their length.

Referring to FIG. 6, an apparatus 10' in accordance with an embodimentof this invention which is preferred for use in splitting shorter logsinto firewood is shown. The apparatus 10' of FIG. 6 is substantiallyidentical to the apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, except for itssize and the mechanism used to return the unsplit portion of the logfrom the top of the horizontal blade 20 into the apparatus forsubsequent splitting. Thus, the same reference numerals have been usedin FIG. 6 to identify the parts thereof which correspond to the parts ofthe apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. Thus, in the apparatus 10' of FIG.6, the rods 36 which support the return bar 34 are not connected to themovable end 30 of the hydraulic ram structure. Instead, such rods 36 arereceived in support tubes 60 for telescoping movement with respectthereto. The support tubes 60 are mounted on the channel members 15 and16 and tension springs 62 are provided for biasing the rods 36 to theirfully telescoped position within the support tubes 60. As shown in FIG.6, a tension spring 62 may be connected between the free end of each rod36 remote from the bar 34 and an appropriate dead man 64 rigidly mountedon the upper edge of the channel members 15 and 16 rearwardly of themovable end 30 of the hydraulic ram structure in its fully retractedposition. The movable end 30 of the hydraulic ram structure is providedwith an upwardly extending portion 66 for engaging the unsplit portionof the log which will be forced on top of the horizontal splitting blade20 during the splitting operation.

Thus, during the splitting operation, the unsplit portion of the logwill be forced against the rod 34 by the upwardly extending portion 66of the movable wall 30 of the hydraulic ram structure. As the log issplit by the splitting blade assembly upon extension of the hydraulicram structure the unsplit portion thereof will be held firmly betweenthe rod 34 and the upwardly extending portion 66 of the movable wall 30and will be moved along the upper surface of the horizontal splittingblade 20 against the force of the tension springs 62. Upon retraction ofthe movable wall 30 of the hydraulic ram structure, the force of thetension springs 62 will continue to hold the unsplit portion of the logbetween the rod 34 and upwardly extending portion 66 thereof until thebar 34 has returned to its normal position to which it is biased by thetension springs 62. At this point, further retraction of the movablewall 30 and upwardly extending portion 66 thereof will release theunsplit portion of the log allowing it to drop into the apparatus 10'onto the plate 31 for subsequent splitting. It will be seen that theapparatus 10' will tend to insure the proper orientation of the unsplitportion of the log for subsequent splitting.

In the apparatus 10', proper design and positioning of the return bar 34may enable the use of single-acting hydraulic motors in the hydraulicram structure by relying on the tension springs 62 and weight of theunsplit portion of the log to return the movable end 30 of the ramstructure to an appropriate retracted position and proper positioning ofthe unsplit portion of the log in the apparatus for subsequentsplitting. However, the use of double-acting hydraulic motors ispreferred to insure efficient and trouble-free automatic operation ofthe apparatus 10'.

Referring to FIG. 7, the hydraulic system of apparatus in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the teaching of this invention is shownschematically. Reference numerals used in connection with FIGS. 1through 6 are also used in FIG. 7 to designate like parts. Thus, asshown in FIG. 7, a gasoline engine 37 or other source of mechanicalpower is mechanically coupled to drive a hydraulic pump 38. The inlet ofthe hydraulic pump 38 is connected to a reservoir 44 of hydraulic fluidthrough an appropriate filter 45. The output of the hydraulic pump isconnected to the two-position four-way valve 46 through a relief valve70 and the hydraulic line 47. The relief valve 70 is of the typewell-known in the prior art adapted to couple the output of the pump 38to the reservoir when the fluid pressure at the relief valve 70 exceedsa selected predetermined level. The two-position four-way valve 46 isalso connected to the reservoir through the hydraulic line 48.

As shown in FIG. 7, the two-position four-way valve 46 is electricallyactuated by means of two integral solenoids 71 and 72. Such solenoidoperated two-position four-way valves are well-known in the art and whenenergized, the first solenoids 71 will move the valve 46 to its firstposition to retract the rods of the hydraulic motors 42 and 43 in tandemas described hereinabove by connecting the pump and reservoir to suchhydraulic motors through appropriate hydraulic lines as indicated. Uponactuation of the two-position four-way valve 46 to its second positionby energization of the second solenoid 72, the connections of the pumpand reservoir to the hydraulic motors 42 and 43 will be reversed intandem to thereby extend the rods of such hydraulic motors as describedhereinabove.

As shown in FIG. 7, an appropriate fluid pressure indicator 74 may beconnected to the output of the hydraulic pump 38 through an appropriatevalve 76 in order to enable the operator of the apparatus to determinethe fluid pressure present in the system at any particular point intime.

Referring to FIG. 8, the electrical system of apparatus in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of this invention is shown schematically.The reference numerals used in FIGS. 1 through 7 are used in FIG. 8 todesignate like parts. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, a battery 80 isconnected through an appropriate fuse 81 both directly to the ignitionsystem of the engine 37 and to an appropriate voltage regulator 82 ofthe type well-known in the prior art for disconnecting the battery 80and substituting a generator associated with the engine 37 after it isfully operational. The output of the voltage regulator 82 whether fromthe battery or from the generator (not shown) of the engine 37 isconnected to the movable contact of the second manually operated singlepole double throw switch 52. One pole of such switch 52 is connected tothe movable contact of the first manually operable single pole doublethrow switch 51 and the other pole of the switch 52 is connected to themovable contact of the automatically operated single pole double throwswitch 53. One pole of the switch 51 is connected to ground in parallelwith a corresponding pole of the switch 53 through the first solenoid 71of the two-position four-way valve 46 and the other pole of the switch51 is connected to ground in parallel with a corresponding pole of theswitch 53 through the second solenoid 72 of the two-position four-wayvalve 46. It will be understood that the battery 80 and generator of theengine 37 are also connected to ground as indicated. Thus the manualactuation of the switch 52 will either connect the switch 51 in thecircuit and disconnect the switch 53 or vice versa. If the switch 51 isconnected into the circuit by the switch 52, then manual actuation ofthe switch 51 will either energize the solenoid 71 disconnecting thesolenoid 72 or vice versa. Similarly, if the switch 53 is connected intothe circuit by the switch 52, then the automatic actuation of the switch53, as described hereinabove, will either actuate the solenoid 71 or thesolenoid 72.

It is anticipated that those skilled in the art will make obviouschanges in the apparatus 10 and 10' as specifically disclosedhereinabove in fabricating embodiments of this invention. For example,the switch 51 may be of the type having its movable contact springbiased to a neutral or normally open position thus requiring that theoperator hold the switch 51 in the desired actuated position with theswitch automatically returning to an open or neutral position in orderto facilitate the manual control of the hydraulic ram structure.Similarly, the two-position four-way valve 46 could be of the type whichis spring-loaded to one of its two positions and actuated to the otherof its two positions by a single solenoid, in which case the switches 51and 53 could be single pole double throw switches spring biased toeither a normally open or a normally closed position depending on theposition to which the two-position four-way valve 46 is spring biased.

The term "two-position four-way valve" as used hereinabove is defined toinclude valves of the type having a central neutral position to which itis spring biased and which provides a by-pass for the hydraulic fluidfrom the outlet of the pump to the reservoir. Thus, the strain on theengine and hydraulic pump, as well as the fuel consumption of theengine, will be reduced since the load on the pump and engine will bereduced when the apparatus is idling in a non-actuated condition.

Similarly, the term "hydraulic motor" as used herein is defined toinclude hydraulically actuated devices other than simple cylinder andpiston devices. Obviously, the connection of the cylinders and pistonsof the devices as shown in the drawing could be reversed. In addition,the hydraulic motor or motors could be connected so as to bridge betweenthe wall of the hydraulic ram structure and the blade assembly forproducing the required relative movement between such wall and the bladeassembly. Embodiments of this invention in which the wall of thehydraulic ram structure is rigidly fixed with respect to the bed and theblade assembly is movably mounted on the bed are contemplated.

In addition to the modification specifically suggested hereinabove,other obvious changes could be made in the structural and mechanicalelements of the embodiments of this invention shown in the drawingwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the subject invention. Ingeneral, fast action of the hydraulic ram structure is desirable andshould be considered in connection with the modification of theembodiments of this invention as shown in the drawing, which embodimentsare capable of completing a splitting cycle and return in about 15seconds.

I claim:
 1. Apparatus for splitting logs into portions having at leastone cross-sectional dimension of given maximum size, comprising:a. a bedfor supporting a log for endwise movement along said bed toward one endthereof; b. a splitting blade assembly mounted on said bed at said oneend thereof, said splitting blade assembly comprising a generallyhorizontal splitting blade extending at least the full diameter of thelog to be split spaced above said bed a distance less than thehorizontal extent thereof and a generally vertical splitting bladeextending only between said generally horizontal splitting blade andsaid bed, the splitting edge of said generally horizontal splittingblade being spaced further from said one end of said bed than thesplitting edge of said generally vertical splitting blade; c. ahydraulic ram structure including a wall mounted at the other end ofsaid bed and positioned to enable a log to be received on said bed withone end thereof adjacent said splitting blade assembly and the other endthereof adjacent said wall and to exert force on said log endwise alongsaid bed resulting in relative movement between said wall and saidsplitting blade assembly upon selective actuation of said ram; d. agenerally horizontal support plate resiliently mounted on said bed toreceive and support said log when said ram structure is not actuated toexert force on said log, the plane of said support plate being closer tosaid bed than the plane of said generally horizontal splitting blade andsaid support plate terminating substantially at said splitting edge ofsaid generally horizontal splitting blade; and e. means for actuatingsaid hydraulic ram structure including a reservoir for hydraulic fluid,a hydraulic fluid pump and means for driving said pump and controllingthe flow of hydraulic fluid to and from said hydraulic ram structure toprovide relative movement of given length between said wall thereof andsaid splitting blade assembly.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein said generally horizontal splitting blade extends a sufficientdistance along said bed to support the unsplit portion of a log thereonand said wall of said ram structure is moved into substantial alignmentwith said splitting edge of said generally horizontal splitting bladewhen said ram structure is actuated to exert said force on said log. 3.Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein a second generally verticalsplitting blade extends only between said generally horizontal splittingblade and said bed at a horizontally spaced position with respect tosaid generally vertical splitting blade and with the splitting edge ofsaid second generally vertical splitting blade spaced a greater distancefrom said one end of said bed than said splitting edge of said generallyvertical splitting blade.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein athird generally vertical splitting blade extends only between saidgenerally horizontal splitting blade and said bed, said second and thirdgenerally vertical splitting blades having their splitting edges insubstantial alignment and being equally spaced on opposite sides of saidgenerally vertical splitting blade.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2wherein return means are included for moving said unsplit portion ofsaid log supported on said generally horizontal blade toward said otherend of said bed as said wall of said ram structure is moved away fromsaid splitting blade assembly whereby said unsplit portion of said logis received between said ram and said splitting blade assembly forsubsequent splitting thereof.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 whereinsaid return means comprises a bar mounted transversely of said bed onthe opposite side of said generally horizontal blade from said bed formovement along said horizontal blade, said bar being connected to saidbed by tension springs whereby said bar is spring biased to a positioncloser to said other end of said bed than said splitting edge of saidhorizontal blade.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said ramstructure is double acting and wherein said means for actuating said ramstructure includes an electrically controlled two-position four-wayhydraulic valve and electrical switch means operated by said ramstructure to establish movement of said wall thereof away from saidsplitting blade assembly by actuating said electrically controlledtwo-position four-way hydraulic valve to change from one of said twopositions thereof to the other of said two positions thereof, wherebyrelative movement between said wall and said splitting blade assembly isautomatically recycled.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein saidreturn means comprises a bar mounted transversely of said bed on theopposite side of said generally horizontal splitting blade from said bedfor movement along said horizontal blade, said bar being mechanicallycoupled to said wall for relative movement therewith with respect tosaid splitting blade assembly between said splitting edge of saidhorizontal splitting blade and said one end of said bed.
 9. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 7 wherein said wall of said hydraulic ram extends intocontact with the end of the unsplit portion of said log on the oppositeside of said generally horizontal splitting blade from said bed, saidreturn means comprises a bar mounted transversely of said bed on theopposite side of said generally horizontal blade from said bed formovement along said horizontal blade, said bar is connected to said bedby tension springs whereby said bar is spring biased to a positioncloser to said other end of said bed than said splitting edge of saidhorizontal splitting blade and said relative movement of said wall asestablished by said electrical switch means has a length greater thanthe length of said log to be split.